Car accident caused by lost tire sends Kirkland woman to the hospital

A tire that broke loose from a trailer crashed through a Kirkland woman’s windshield while she was driving on SR-520 sending her to Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue with undisclosed injuries.

Anita Manueltiqui, 47, was driving westbound on the highway when the tire crashed through her windshield and landed in the passenger seat.

The car accident occurred when the rim apparently failed on a trailer being towed eastbound. The lug nuts and center of the rim remain fastened to the trailer but the wheel and parts of the rim broke free, bounced on the highway and into oncoming traffic.

The article in The Bellevue Reporter said that the Washington Patrol are investigating the accident and it is unclear whether the driver pulling the trailer would be cited.

The investigation will probably determine whether the trailer was overloaded, if the tires were improperly inflated or what kind of mechanical failure was the cause of the car accident.

Nearly 13% of all motor vehicle accidents can be attributed to mechanical failure of some type. A driver can be negligent if they fail to properly maintain their vehicle. In some cases, mechanical failure can be caused by a product or manufacturing defect or a repair shop error.

The following are some mechanical failures that may result in a Washington motor vehicle accident:

Bad Brakes – Brakes are a mechanical part that needs to be repaired or replaced on a routine basis. Brakes consist of many moving parts and replacement time depends on many factors including driving habits, quality of replacement parts, how a person drivers and where they drive. Brake pads need to be replaced between 20,000 and 50,000 miles. Failure to repair brakes, pads, rubber seals and hoses can cause breaks to fail.

Faulty or Underinflated Tires – It is estimated that 8,000 car accidents every year are due to faulty tire failures. Failure to properly inflate tires can cause a blowout, especially on hot days, which can cause a serious accident. Other tire failures can be caused by using improper tires for the vehicle, carrying a heavier load than the tire is rated for or improper mounting or balancing of a tire.

Wheel Bearing Failure – Wheel and axle bearings rarely require maintenance, however, in some cases depending on a driver’s habits or damage to a vehicle, an axle bearing can fail causing the vehicle to lose a wheel.

If you were seriously injured and your car accident was caused by mechanical failure or from a lost load, call The Farber Law Group, a personal injury law who will provide a free and confidential case evaluation. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.